Side car for motor-cycles.



C. J. HUNTER.

SIDE CAR FOR MOTOR CYCLES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. t5. 1915.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- 3mm 6075x7255):

THE COLUMBIA PLAlyoGRAPH co., wAsHlNqTpN, D. C.

C. J. HUNTER.

SIDE CAR FOR MOTOR CYCLES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15. 1915.

Patented Feb. 22

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co-, wAsHlNGTbN. D. c.

c. L HUNTEfi.

SlDE CAR FOR MOTOR CYCLES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15, 1915,

1,172,995. Patented Feb. 22,1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

anon W01,

CHARLES J. HUNTER, OF NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA.

SIDE CAR FOR MOTOR-CYCLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

Application filed January 15, 1915. Serial No. 2,441.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. HUNTER, a citizenof the United States ofAmerica, residing at Newport News, in the county of l Varwick and Stateof Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Side Cars forMotor-Cycles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in side cars for motorcycles andis in the nature of an improvement upon Patent No. 1,063,- 864:,issuedJune 3, 1913, to F; C. Edwards and myself. i i p In carrying outthe present invention, it is my purpose toimprove. and simplify thegeneral construction of side cars and to provide strong and durableconnections between the side car and the motorcycle.

It is also my purpose to provide a side car whereby the rider will becomfortably and conveniently supported and to provide connectionsbetweenthe side car and the motorcycle which will be constructed in suchmanner as to enable relative vertical movement between the side car andthe motorcycle, as when the motorcycle encounters an obstruction in theroadway and the side car drops into a depressiomand whereby the side carand motorcycle may be connected rigidly toether when conditions warrant;

' WVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists inthe construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter setforthin and falling within the scope of the claims i In the accompanyingdrawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a side car connected to amotorcycle. Fig. 2 is a view in rearelevation of the side car andmotorcycle connected. Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. & is ahorizontal sectional view through the side car showing a portion of theframe of the latter and the connection between the frame and themotorcycle intop plan; Fig. 5 isa longitudinal sectional view on theline 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is aplan view of the connecting brace at theforward end of the side car. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional viewthrough the telescopic diagonal brace. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectionalview therethrough; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal'sectional viewthrough thetelescopic horizontal brace. Fig. 10 is a cross sectional viewtherethrough. i

Referring now to the drawings in detail, A designates a side car and B amotorcycle.

' side bars 2, 2 of the frame.

. The motorcycle B may be of any preferred or well known type, while theside car A comprises a substantially rectangular frame 1 embodyinglongitudinal side bars 2, 2 and transverse end bars 3, 3 and a centralreinforcing bar 4 extending across the space between the longitudinalbars 2 and having the opposite ends thereof secured to such barsrespectively. The side and end bars and the central reinforcing bar ofthe frame 1 are preferably composed of hollow tubing having the meetingends thereof joined together by means of appropriate couplings. In thepresent instance, one of the end bars 3 forms an axle and rotatablymounted upon such end bar is a ground wheel 5, suitable anti-frictionbearings being interposed between the end bar and the hub of the wheelso that the latter may revolve freely about the axle.

Suitably secured to the couplings connecting the axle forming end barwith the side bars 2 and uprising from such couplings are supportingposts 6 preferably formed of metal tubing and connected with the upperends of the posts 6through the medium of elbows 7 are the upper ends ofquadrantal bars 8, the lower ends of such bar being connected with theside bars 2 through the medium of the couplings between the reinforcingbar 4 and such side bars. quadrantal bars are formed of hollow metaltubes and constitute a rest for the seat of thefsidecar and in thisinstance, the seat of the side car is formed of a single sheet of Thesemetal 9 having one end portion thereof bent to conform to the curvatureof the quadrantal bars 8 and the remaining end portion lying" upon theforward end portion of the The forward endof the metal plate 9 is coiledupon itself about the forward end bar 3 whereby the plate 9 may swingvertically relatively to the supporting frame and the rest. The upperend portion of the plate 9 is preferably enlarged as illustrated in Fig.3 so as to form a comfortable seat. Surrounding the posts 6 respectivelyadjacent to the upper ends thereof and capable of vertical adjustmentthereon are collars 10, 10 having the inner portions thereof formed withinwardly extending lugs 11 and interposed between the upper surfaces ofthe lugs 11 and the bottom of the seat are springs 12 .acting to holdthe seat portion of the plate out of engagement with the quadrantal bars8 and gitudinal axis thereof lying in a serving to cushion the seatportion of the plate as the latter tends to swing about its pivotalconnection with the forward end bar of the frame. These collars are heldin the desired adjusted position by means of clamping bolts 13. In thepresent instance, a connecting bar 1 1 is disposed between the elbows 7and has the opposite ends thereof suitably secured to such elbowsrespectively, such bar acting to brace the upper ends of the posts 6 andthe similar ends of the bars 8 so as to impart stability'and rigidity tothe structure. By adjusting the collars 10 along the posts 6, thepressure of the springs 12 on the seat portion of the plate 9 may bevaried.

In order to connect the side car A to the motorcycle B the followingmechanism is employed: Formed on one side of the frame 1 adjacent to theaxle or rear end thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom is a pivotknuckle 15, while formed on the frame at the opposite end thereof andprojecting outwardly therefrom is a pivot lug 16. 17 designates aconnecting frame comprising a longitudinal bar'18 formed of metaltubing, end bars 19, 20 formed of metal tubingand disposed at rightangles to' the bar 18 and having the ends thereof connected to therespective ends of the bar 18 through the medium of appropriatecouplings. A segmental reinforcing bar 21 in the form of a hollow metaltube has the extremities thereof secured to the outer ends'of therespective tubular bars 19 and 20 and the central portion thereofconnected with the similar portions of the bar 18 through the medium ofa connector 22. Formed on the extremity of the end bar 20 connected withthe side bar 18 is a pivot lug 23 disposed within the knuckle 15 andformed with an opening alining with openings in the knuckle 15 andthrough these alining openings is passed a horizontal pivot bolt 24,while formed on the extremity of the end barl9 connected with the bar 18is a pivot lug 25 formed with a horizontal opening alining with asimilar opening in the lug 16 and passed through these registeringopenings is a horizontal pivot bolt 26. Connected with the frame of themotorcycle at the rear end thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom isa pivot knuckle 27 and disposed within the pivot knuckle 27 is a lug 28formed integral with the extremity of the end bar 20 remote from theside car and passed through the lug 28 and the pivot knuckle27 is ahorizontal pivot'bolt 29, while connected to the extremity of the endbar 19 remote from the side car is a horizontally disposed sleeve 30having the lonplane parallel with the longitudinal bar 18 of theconnecting frame. Passed through a suitable bracket appropriatelyconnected to'th'e frame of the motorcycle approximately cen-' trallythereof is a horizontal stud 31pro' ectlng outwardly from the side ofthe frame carryingthe pivot knuckle 27 and of the arm and adjustablymounted within the sleeve 33 is a horizontal tubular arm31' disposed ina plane parallelwith thestud 31 and having the outer end thereofprojecting beyond the outer end of the arm 31 and equipped with ahorizontally disposed sleeve 35 having the longitudinal axis thereofarranged at right angles to the arm 3%. Fixed within the sleeve 35 is'arod 36 designed to enter the sleeve 30 and cooperate with the knuckle 27to form a pivotal connection between the frame 17'and the motorcycle.lVhen connecting the frame 17 with the motorcycle, the sleeve'30 ispassed onto the bolt36 and the lug 28 subsequently disposed within theknuckle 27 and-connected with the latter by meansof the pivot bolt 29.The pivot bolt 29 alines axially with the rod'36 so that the frame 17may swing vertically relatively to the motorcycle when occasion demands.The arm'31 is adjusted within the sleeve 33 so as'to bring the bolt 36in alinement with the bolt 29 and locked 1 in such adjusted positionthrough any suitable means; In the present instance, the sleeve 33 issplit longitudinally as at 37 and formed with outwardly projecting lugs38 on the respective walls of the split portion, such lugs being formedwith alining openin a horizontal plane; Thus,- the side car may movevertically relatively to the motorcycle and vice versa sothat in theevent of one vehicle encountering an obstruction in the roadway and theother vehicle dropping into a depression, such vehicles will have thenecessary movement therebetween to accommodate the inequalities in theroadway;

The rear end of the side car A at the top thereof is connected with thesimilar end of The connecting fra e 17 it the motorcycle adjacent to theseat on the latter so that the motorcycle and side-car will possessstability and remain in vertical upright position. In thepresentinstance,

- of its length as at 42 at the open end thereof,

and a solid section 43 having oneend telescoping within the tubularsection 41. On the outer end of the solid section 43 is a pivot knuckle44 pivotally connected with a similar knuckle 45 secured to the frame ofthe motorcycle in proximity to the seat thereof, while formed on theouter end of the tubular section 41 is apivot knuckle 46pivotallyconnected with a similar knuckle 47 secured-to the elbowconnecting the inner post 6 and the adjacent quadrantal bar 8.Encircling the split end of the tubular section 41 is a split clampingcollar 48 having the split ends thereofprovided with 0utwardly extendinglugs 49 respectively formed with alining openings to receive a securingbolt 50. In the use of the horizontal brace bar the sections'4l and 43are moved relatively to one another until the bar 40 has reached thenecessary length, such length being commensurate with the width of theconnecting frame 17. At this time, the clamping collar 48 is tightenedby means of the bolt 50 so as to draw the split end of the tubularsection 41 into engagement with the solid section 43, thereby lockingthe sections of the telescopic bar against relative movement. The pivotbolts of the knuckles 44 and and 46 and 47 respectively are disposed inhorizontal planes to ports.

correspond with the pivot points of the ccnnecting frame 17 and the bar40 coacts with the frame 17 to maintain the side car and motorcycleproperlyspaced apart and at the same time stabilize the two vehicles sothat they may remain upright when at a standstill without the necessityof other sup;I

In this embodiment of my invention, I employ a diagonal brace bar 51,such bar comprising an outer tubular sectlon 52 and an inner tubular.section 53 telescoping within the outer section 52 at one end of thelatter. Surrounding the section 52 adjacent to the end receiving thesection 53 is an annular collar 54 formed with a threaded opening 55registering with an opening 56 in the section 52 and threaded into theopening 55 is a set screw 57 having the outer end thereof provided witha hand hold 58 whereby the set screw may be rotated to enter the opening56 and engage the adja cent portion of the inner section 53 and so lockthe sections 52 and 53 of the bar against longitudinal movement.Normally, however, the sections 52 and 53 are capable of relativelongitudinal movement. Fast upon the outer end of the section 52 is apivot knuckle 59, while secured to the outer end of the section 53 is asimilar knuckle 60 and disposed within the sections 52 and 53 is acoiled compression spring 61 having one end in engagement with the outerend of the section 52 and the remaining extremity abutting the outer endof the section 53, such spring acting to hold the sections 52 and 53normally distended. The pivot knuckle 59 is pivotally connected with aco5perating knuckle secured to the frame 1 of the side car adjacent tothe upper end thereof, while the pivot knuckle 60 is connected with acompanion knuckle carried by the adjacent side of the frame of themotorcycle in proximity t0 the motorcycle end of the connecting frame17.

Under normal conditions, the sections 52 and 53 slide freely one uponthe other and the compression spring 61 acts to prevent the too suddenswinging movement of the side car and motorcycle relatively to eachother, the spring acting, in effect, as a shock absorber. When it isdesired to render the sections 52 and 53 immovable relatively toconnection with the accompanying draw- 3 ings, the construction, mode ofoperation and manner of connecting my improved side car to a motorcyclewill be readily apparent. It will be seen that I have provided a sidecar whereby the seat forming plate may move relatively to the frame asthe vehicle travels along the road and wherein such movement will becushioned, while the connections between the side car and the motorvehicle permit relative vertical movement between the two vehicles sothat any inequalities in the roadway may be overcome with out jarring orjolting the occupants of the vehicle.

While I have herein shown and described the preferred form of myinvention by way of illustration, I wish it to be understood that I donot limit or confine myself to the precise details of constructionherein described and delineated, as modification and variation may bemade within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. A side car for motorcycles comprising a rectangular frame, "postsupstanding from the side bars of sald frame at one end thereof,quadrantal bars each having one end thereof secured to the upperextremity of one of said posts and the remaining end secured to theadjacent side bar approximately centrally of the latter, and a plateresting upon said frame and having one end portion thereof curved toconform to the curvature of said quadrantal bars and the remaining endportion disposed in a horizontal plane and restingupon the adjacenthorizontal portion of said frame.

2. A side car for motorcycles comprising a rectangular frame, postsupstanding from the side bars of said frameat one end thereof,quadrantal bars each having one end thereof secured to the upperextremitiy of one of said posts and the remaining end securedto theadjacent side bar approximately centrally of the latter, a plate restingupon said frame and having one end portion thereof curved to conform tothe curvature of said quadrantal bars and the remaining end portiondisposed in a horizontal plane and resting upon the adjacent horizontalportion of said frame, a pivotal connection between one end of saidplate and the lastmentioned end of said frame, and .means yieldablysupporting the curved end of said plate.

3. A side car for motorcycles comprising a rectangular frame, postsupstanding from the side bars of said frame at one end thereof,quadrantal bars each having one end thereof secured to the upperextremity of one of said posts and the remaining endsecured to theadjacent side bar approximately centrally of the latter, a plate restingupon said frame and having one end portion thereof curved to conform to'the curvature of said quadrantal bars and the remaining end portiondisposed in a horizontal plane and resting upon the adjacent horizontalportion of said frame, a pivotal connection between one end of saidplate and thelastmentioned end of said frame, springs supporting thecurved end of said plate, and

means for adjusting said springs. V

4:. A side car for motorcycles comprising a rectangular frame formed ofhollow metal tubing, posts upstanding from the side bars 1 5. A side carfor motor cycles comprising i a rectangular frame, posts upstanding fromthe side bars of said frame at one end thereof, quadrantal bars eachhaving one end secured to the upper extremity of one of said posts andthe remaining end secured to the adjacent side bar approximatelycentrally thereof, a reinforcing bar interconnecting the side bars ofsaid frame and a seat plate carried by said quadrantal bars.

6. The combination With a motor cycle and side car of a connecting framedisposed between the side car and the motorcycle comprlsmg a longltudmalbar, end bars disposed at right angles to said longitudinal bars andconnected thereto and a segmental reinforcing bar having the extremitiesthereof secured to the outer ends of said end bars and the centralportion secured to the corresponding portion of said longitudinal bar,pivot couplings connecting said frame to theframe of the motor cycle andpivot 0011-. plings connecting said frame to the frame of the side carwhereby the side car and motor cycle may have relative movement.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES J. HUNTER.

Witnesses T. P. BARTLETT, R. H. Koonrz.

Copies of this patent maybe obtainedvfor five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner 01 Patentsv Washington, D. 0." u

